Luke 12:15b, "...for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."

Think

"Greed is the desire to acquire that's gone haywire." Consider your most prized possession. Now, what if that possession was lost to you forever? For many, this has been a reality in the wake of natural disasters or other tragedies. For those who have experienced such loss, there is a greater understanding of just how fragile life can be and what is truly important. Does this mean that we should stop acquiring possessions because they could potentially disappear anyway? No. But we should understand where true value should be placed. When everything is taken away, who we are is what is left. If that identity is tied to our possessions, we will be lost. But if we know that our real value comes from having a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, we will never lose sight of who we are - a child of The King. This is the greatest thing we have been given, and it cannot be taken away! Your identity is not in the things you have, but in the One who provides those things to you. When you know who you are and whose you are, you can truly appreciate what you have.

Act

When we choose to focus on what we don't have rather than being grateful for what we do have, we can be overcome by greed. Begin a routine of gratitude that will put greed to rest. Take just 5 minutes and write down the things you are grateful for. Each day this week, stop and thank God for each of them. Then ask Him to remind you of who he says you are.

Pray

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me right where I am. I know I am not defined by my possessions, but by your love for me. Help me to not lose that focus. Help me to be grateful for what you have given me, but even more in awe of the fact that I am loved by you. In Jesus' name, Amen!